Texarkana woman, 65, pleads innocent in slaying

TEXARKANA — A 65-year-old Texarkana woman has pleaded innocent to capital murder in the shooting death of a fellow member of a local square dancing club.

Virginia Ann Hyatt entered the plea Tuesday in Texarkana. Prosecutors charged her in the Dec. 3 fatal shooting of 59-year-old Patricia Wheelington. According to an affidavit, Wheelington was shot to death while sitting on her front porch.

The Texarkana Gazette reported that both women were members of the Guys and Dolls Square Dancing Club. Court records allege that Hyatt was "harassing" Wheelington over Wheelington's relationship with Hyatt's estranged husband.

On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson scheduled an April 21 trial date. Both the prosecution and defense said they wouldn't be prepared for trial so soon, and the judge said the trial would likely be delayed.

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